6 Pakistani dramas that actually get mental health right

Portrayals of mental health on television often walk a fine line. Some dramas help viewers better understand emotional struggles and psychological disorders, while others rely on exaggeration, fear or misinformation. But when a drama approaches mental health with care, research and sensitivity, it can open up conversations that matter and help reduce stigma.

At a time when Gen Z and Millennials in Pakistan are increasingly talking about therapy, emotional wellbeing and neurodivergence, these six Pakistani dramas stand out for presenting mental health with honesty and nuance.

1. Ishq Zahe Naseeb (2019)

Zahid Ahmed delivers one of his most memorable performances as Sameer, a man living with Dissociative Identity Disorder, commonly referred to as split personality disorder. What sets the portrayal apart is its restraint. Ahmed does not turn the character into a caricature, nor does he resort to exaggerated or stereotypical expressions of femininity when portraying Sameera. Instead, the drama focuses on the psychological trauma underlying the disorder, making the character’s struggle feel human rather than theatrical.

2. Ye Dil Mera (2019)

Starring Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly, Ye Dil Mera is among the first psychological thrillers produced for Pakistani television. The series functions as a character study of two individuals grappling with post traumatic stress disorder. Each episode builds suspense while gradually unpacking layers of trauma, memory and grief. The unfolding mystery keeps viewers engaged, while the emotional depth gives weight to the characters’ pain.

3. Aakhri Station (2018)

This seven part mini series, created by Sarmad Khoosat in collaboration with the Kashf Foundation, tells the stories of several women facing different social and psychological challenges. Rather than centring on a single diagnosis, Aakhri Station looks at how systemic neglect, violence and silence impact mental wellbeing. Its episodic format allows each story space to breathe, giving voice to experiences often left unseen.

4. Sabaat (2020)

Featuring Mawra Hocane, Ameer Gilani, Usman Mukhtar and Sara Khan, Sabaat weaves mental health into a broader reflection on life, relationships and human nature. The inclusion of a psychiatrist character, played by Usman Mukhtar, helps ground the narrative in professional understanding. The drama touches on personality issues and emotional struggles while exploring themes such as love, grief, anxiety, patience and forgiveness, allowing mental health to exist as part of everyday life rather than an isolated problem.

5. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi (2018)

Starring Iqra Aziz and Imran Ashraf, this drama was widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of Bhola, a character on the autism spectrum. Through the story of Noori and Bhola, the series highlights how society often misunderstands mental and developmental conditions. It also emphasises the importance of medical treatment and informed care over superstition, challenging harmful cultural responses to mental illness.

6. Saraab (2020)

Saraab centres on Hoorain, played by Sonya Hussyn, a young woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. The drama portrays her experience with delusions and hallucinations while also examining the toll the illness takes on those around her. It does not shy away from criticising societal tendencies to seek help from peers, spiritual healers or taweez instead of qualified mental health professionals, making it one of the more direct commentaries on stigma and misinformation.

By choosing empathy over sensationalism, they help normalise conversations that many viewers are already trying to have in their own lives.